Most cases occur in young children (< 3 years of age) but infections can occur at any age.
Most infections occur during the winter and early spring.
Risk factors for infection in adults:
(1) immunosuppression (lung transplant, etc)
(2) chronic cardiopulmonary disease (COPD, asthma, other)
(3) frailty (may be more likely to present for care)
Clinical findings:
(1) afebrile
(2) cough
(3) nasal congestion
(4) dyspnea
(5) wheezing
A patient with a human metapneumovirus infection may be initially diagnosed as:
(1) viral infection (influenza, respiratory syncytial virus)
(2) bronchitis, including exacerbation of COPD
(3) bronchiolitis
(4) atypical pneumonitis
The diagnosis of human metapneumovirus may not be considered unless viral culture or RT-PCR is performed.
